INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH (IDOP)

NCEASL produced and distributed prayer packs for adults and children, in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages, to be used in Churches and Sunday Schools during the month of November. Over 5,000 packs were distributed, encouraging prayer for the persecuted Church in Sri Lanka and other Asian nations.

There is one thing that persecuted Christians all over the world have in common;
when asked what they need the most,
they all make this one request,
‘PLEASE PRAY FOR US”

November is a month of remembrance… it is the month where, traditionally, the Christian Church remembers the souls of the dead and departed. It is also the month where the world remembers and prays for the persecuted church. The International Day Of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) unites Christians from all over the globe, to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith, not only in our own countries, but in all the world.
Please join us in praying for the suffering Church in our own country and also those who suffer much more, beyond our shores. Remember Christian prisoners in our neighbouring Asian nations such as North Korea, China, Burma and Vietnam. Remember those in the Middle East, in Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Remember those in African nations such as Eritrea, Egypt, Nigeria and the Congo. Remember those who suffer for their faith in Peru and Columbia in South America. Remember Christians who are still suffering in Central Asia and Europe – in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Belarus.  

As we pray and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be encouraged that “in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, c neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

Romans 8: 37 - 39

Pray for Sri Lanka situation

1. Violence
There is on going violence against Christians and Churches reported from all parts of Sri Lanka.  Most of these attacks occur in the Western and Southern Provinces. Arson, demolition, physical assault, mob attacks, threats & intimidation, false accusations inciting public protests, forced closure of Churches by Police. In the past 5 years, there have been over 320 incidents, documented by NCEASL. There are hundreds of Christians who suffer in fear and in silence.

2. False allegations
Churches are attacked or forced to close down due to false allegations. In June 2007, in Kandy, a Pastor and two others were falsely accused of destroying a Buddha statue. They were arrested and charged. There are false accusations made against Churches of unethical conversion, of giving people money to convert, of promoting immorality and child abuse and of being agents of terrorism.

3.  Forced closure of Churches 
Some Churches have been ordered to close down by Police due to pressure by the villagers, local politicians or monks. These Christians cannot meet together for worship. They can only meet in homes to pray. There are also instances where Churches are asked to produce a registration with the government or permission from the Roman Catholic Church. All these violate the right to religion of these Christians.  

4. Refusal or Revocation of building permits
Churches are refused permission to build. There are instances where approval given to plans has been revoked, preventing the Church from constructing.

5. Refusal of burial rights at public burial grounds for Christians.

6. Refusal of school admissions for Evangelical Christian children and harassment and ridiculing of Christian children.

Prayer points

• Pray for the Church in Sri Lanka: for unity between denominations.
• Pray that the Church will be a blessing to our nation and not a burden.
• Pray for Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and other religious groups in Sri Lanka; that they will be touched by God's love and peace.
• Pray against plots and actions that cause hurt, attacks and intimidation of Christians.
• Pray for Christians who have faced attacks and those who are struggling with threats and intimidation; for God's peace, protection, healing and guidance.
• Pray that the church will remain strong, even in the face of opposition.
• Pray for all Christian workers, pastors and those who share the Gospel through their words and their deeds. 
• Pray for the children of Christian workers who are facing hardship and ridicule in school. 
• Pray against the spirit of violence, lawlessness and war that has gripped our nation.
• Pray for the thousands who are living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces who are displaced by war, who are suffering without food or shelter and have lost all hope, particularly remembering the Christian communities who are living as refugees. 
• Pray for those who are fleeing their homes or are forced to flee due to fear or intimidation, that their needs will be met.
• Pray for those who have lost loved ones due to attacks, for God's comfort and peace. Pray against the spirit of revenge - that there will be forgiveness and reconciliation.  
• Pray against lies and unfounded rumours that cause prejudice against religious and ethnic groups.
• Pray for unity and understanding between the different communities - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.
• Pray for all those in positions of authority, the Police and government officials that they will carry out their duties in a just and equitable manner.
• Pray for those who administer justice - judges & lawyers and for those who are engaged in law enforcement; that they will carry out justice without fear or favour.
• Pray for those who stand in the defence of the Gospel; for God's protection, wisdom, boldness and peace.

‘If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it’ .
1 Corinthians 12:26 

Pray for… 

North Korea

·         Christianity is banned and those caught are put in prison where they are tortured and made to live in degrading inhuman conditions.

·         The North Korean leader Kim Il Sung is revered as a god. All citizens must follow his teachings.

·         There are eye witness reports of Christians who being severely tortured and then tied to poles and shot.  Their crime is following Christ.

·         Most North Koreans have never seen a Church or a Bible. They have never met a Christian or heard the Gospel. They are taught by the state to believe that Christians are crazy people.  

Burma (also known as Myanmar)

·         Burma’s ruling military regime is guided by a belief of “One race, one language, one religion.” The race is Burman, the language is Burmese and the religion is Buddhism. Citizens who do not conform to the regime’s version of these face potentially serious consequences.

·         Christians are mostly from minority ethnic tribes. They are persecuted and face situations of violence, torture, imprisonment and even death. There are restrictions on evangelism and construction of Churches. 

·         Many of them live in abject poverty. Thousands are living in the jungles, running from military attacks on their villages with little food or medical care.  

Pakistan

·         Christians have come under increasing attack in recent years. Killing, torture, beatings, burning homes and Churches, rape and other methods of violence are used against Christians.

·         At least three Christians have died as a result of injuries caused by attacks by Islamists and police torture.

·         Several Pakistani Christian girls have been raped as punishment for being Christian. Neha was only 2 and a half years old. Sharee Komal only 7 years old.

·         Under the ‘Blasphemy Laws’ Christians are often harassed, attacked and persecuted.

·         Very often, when a person becomes a Christian, if found out, he or she can be killed for leaving the Islamic faith.

India

·         There is widespread ongoing discrimination against the Dalit minority called the ‘untouchables’. 

·         Embracing Christianity attracts considerable opposition, violence and social pressures.

·         Many Christians have been killed for their faith. In August 2007, a Christian worker was stoned and beaten to death.

·         Anti-conversion laws are currently in place in seven states in India, restricting freedom of religion and freedom of worship.  

Maldives

·         Sri Lanka is the Maldives Islands closest neighbour.

·         The state religion of the Maldives is Islam.

·         Other religious faiths are not tolerated and the Government claims that the population is 100% Muslim.

·         In the late ‘90s there was a government crack down on Christians. Those arrested were asked to denounce their faith. Some have never been seen again.

Prayer points

 

·         Pray for the persecuted and suffering Christians in each of these countries of focus - North Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, India and the Maldives. 

·         Pray for those who are imprisoned for their faith, some in solitary confinement or inhuman conditions.

·         Pray for pastors and Christian workers who share the Good News, putting their lives at risk.

·         Pray for healing and comfort for those who have been tortured, beaten and wounded both physically and emotionally, for their faith in Christ.

·         Pray for the families of the martyrs, some of whom have lost the sole breadwinner in the family, that God our Father will provide their needs.

·         Pray for Christians in restricted countries where there is no religious freedom, where they are unable to worship and have no access to Bibles or Churches. 

·         Pray for authorities, governments, prison guards and all those who seek to hinder the work of the Lord and those who treat Christians with hatred.

·         Pray for just systems of law and government in countries which have repressive laws.

·         Pray for children growing up in communities where they are looked down upon and hated for being Christian. Pray for children who have been hurt physically and emotionally.

·         Pray that the Church in each of these countries will stand strong and be bold witnesses of Christ’s love.